Images of the late Col. Harlan Sanders are everywhere as you walk through the Louisville, Kentucky, headquarters of KFC and its parent, Yum! Brands. Not only are there plenty of photos and videos of the company founder and creator of the world’s most popular fried chicken recipe, but there are also...

It’s mid-September and Thom Crosby is on the road again. Every six months, Crosby, the CEO of Pal’s Sudden Service, a 26-unit chain with stores across Tennessee and Virginia, joins Pal’s founder Fred Barger for a road trip. The pair visit all 26 stores, leading quality and system audits at each...

When news that more quick-serve and fast-casual restaurants were experimenting with alcohol beverage service emerged in the last decade, many operators and experts followed it with a skepticism chaser. Analysts warned that costly liquor licensing, regulatory details, and staffing issues were just a...

Come next month, the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) health-care reporting provision for businesses with 50 or more full-time employees kicks in.
Experts say operators must be certain if they fit into the category of Applicable Large Employer (ALE) or Small Business.
“The law combines companies with a...

I never thought I would be an owner of a quick-service restaurant brand; I actually received my economics degree at Stanford. Being in the San Francisco area, however, I happened to wander onto a movie set that was shooting in the Bay Area. After witnessing the movie-catering business, I ended up...

It’s 2029 in Albany, New York—your average American city. A family of four stops by the corner sandwich shop for lunch, and the glass doors automatically slide open as they enter. A brand ambassador greets the family by name at the door, a tablet in her hand displaying the date and details of their...

When Lori Newcomb found out she had stage III ovarian cancer last year, she made it her mission to learn more about the disease and help other women fighting the same battle. She sat down with her husband, Chris Newcomb, cofounder and CEO of Southern quick-service chain Newk’s Eatery, and together...

The sriracha craze is heating up with the introduction of Sriracha Sausage pizza at PizzaRev, a fast-casual pizza concept. The build-your-own pizza shop will feature the Sriracha Sausage pizza throughout March and April at its 25 open location sacross California, Texas, Utah, South Dakota, and...

Qdoba one-upped its queso game with the debut of Bacon Jalapeno Queso in restaurants now.

The ultimate savory, smoky, and spicy addition, Bacon Jalapeno Queso features Qdoba’s signature 3-Cheese Queso infused with a mix of hardwood-smoked bacon and a hint of jalapeño heat. When devouring...

McAlister’s Deli announced today it is targeting Phoenix for franchise growth. The brand is seeking experienced multi-unit restaurant operators to help expand McAlister’s presence in the market through multi-unit development agreements in areas such as Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale,...

Houston-based Salata, the fast-growing custom salad and salad wrap restaurant company, announced its 26,000-square-foot corporate complex in west Houston. Located on nearly two acres at 16720 Park Row, build-out on the facility began in January. Completion is estimated for summer 2015.

Soupman Inc., the parent company of the Original SoupMan, opened its newest restaurant, the Original SoupMan Famous Delicatessen & Grill at the Roosevelt Field Mall on Long Island in Garden City, New York.

In honor of the grand opening Original SoupMan Famous Delicatessen & Grill...

Taco John’s, one of the largest Mexican quick-service restaurant chains in the U.S., has signed deals to open 25 stores and is poised for rapid growth. The new stores will be developed in current markets, as well as new markets in Indiana, Virginia, and New York.

Maui Wowi Hawaiian announces a new location coming soon to the Ocean City Boardwalk in Ocean City, New Jersey. The company says it plans to open up its fresh fruit smoothie and gourmet coffee shop in time for Memorial Day weekend, to kickoff summer.

While the fast-casual category continues to be the fastest-growing industry sector, the road in 2015 will be bumpy. We will see constant change and challenges around every corner. For industry leaders, there are issues that will keep even the most seasoned executive awake at night.
Here is my top...

When Lori Newcomb found out she had stage III ovarian cancer last year, she made it her mission to learn more about the disease and help other women fighting the same battle. She sat down with her husband, Chris Newcomb, cofounder and CEO of Southern quick-service chain Newk’s Eatery, and together...

Having started as a sandwich maker with Subway when he was 18 years old, Gurpreet Singh has spent nearly half his life in the quick-service industry. Now a Checkers franchisee, Singh has spent time in every quick-serve job imaginable: line worker, manager, general manager, and, today, franchisee....

Like much of the rest of the economy, the 2008 economic meltdown brought a massive slow-down to the quick-service franchise industry. The combination of tightfisted money lenders and general economic uncertainty put franchise businesses in a near impossible position when it came to accessing...

What can I possibly tell you about potatoes, dear quick-serve industry professional, that you don’t already know? It’s not as though you’re unacquainted with America’s favorite starch. You may even know that it’s the world’s fourth-largest food crop, trailing behind only rice, corn, and wheat,...

What can I possibly tell you about potatoes, dear quick-serve industry professional, that you don’t already know? It’s not as though you’re unacquainted with America’s favorite starch. You may even know that it’s the world’s fourth-largest food crop, trailing behind only rice, corn, and wheat,...